by eudyptula on Monday, Dec 03 2007 at 12:38PM UTC

Northampton Wools is locally beloved, but I've had some problems with the place. I once got some good help there, but I usually find them to be chilly at best and intimidating at worst. I'd recommend a quick jaunt down the road to WEBS rather than being condescended at.

by mehitabel on Sunday, Jan 13 2008 at 09:26AM UTC

A very uncomfortable shop, from my standpoint, small and crowded and felt very dusty and musty. The next door shop was a little brighter but still not very pleasant.

by reserve on Tuesday, Jun 24 2008 at 05:38AM UTC

Northampton Wools is a great yarn store if you need to pick up a pair of needles on the go or if you're desperate for a new project and only have time to walk into town (from the college). Otherwise, I'd suggest going elsewhere -- if only because the staff can be somewhat hit or miss, and the yarn is on the expensive side.

by WoostaKnitta on Thursday, Feb 11 2010 at 12:45AM UTC

I've only been to this shop once, but I enjoyed it. The shop is very small and cramped (so probably not a great place for someone with a walker or wheelchair), but I liked the atmosphere of the place - like it's a tiny, family-owned used-book store. It has a decent selection of yarns considering how small it is, but obviously it doesn't carry a HUGE selection. The staff-person I talked to was very friendly, witty, and helpful.

by VangeKnitter on Wednesday, Aug 04 2010 at 01:49AM UTC

Yarn can be on the expensive side, hard to find parking, customer service is not the best, and cramped. OVerall, I would go again if I had to, but wouldn't relish it.

by Susan Wozniak on Monday, Jan 03 2011 at 02:58AM UTC

I am surprised by the negative attitudes expressed by several reviewers here . . . I just wonder if the commentators are spoiled suburban matrons, conditioned to shopping at malls where the employees are taught by management to "suck up" to customers rather than dealing with real human beings in intimate circumstances?

I believe in shopping locally and rather than conforming to the fake capitalism that leaves the consumer without choice and which bears an enormous amount of responsibility for the present state of the economy.

I have yet to learn to knit. I have considered it, however. I have been to Northhampton wools about a half dozen times during the three years I have lived in the area. Each time I found the staff respectful of the consumer.

Frankly, if the customer or potential customer wants to be flattered, go to a mall. Better yet, get a puppy. As for WEBS, while they offer many beautiful things, the store is not user friendly nor is the staff as involved with the customer as the staff of Noho Wools is.

by jayel on Thursday, Jun 30 2011 at 03:19PM UTC

I visited Northampton Wools on the I-91 Shop Hop last week. I learned at the outset that this is a shop in transition, that it has outgrown its current location & is about to relocate, so I was tolerant of a tiny shop in a bit of disarray, trying its best to accommodate an influx of shop hoppers. Staff were friendly but not intrusive, the inventory of yarns, notions and kits offered this frequent yarn shopper some interesting new (to me) products to consider, though the kits could be better marked as to price. There were some intriguing shop samples, and the door prize baskets were put together with care & visual appeal.

I am an out-of-towner, but if I lived locally, I'd make a point of visiting Northampton Wools regularly. It definitely has that boutique feel & its small size gives it the opportunity to carry local yarns from smaller-output producers & dyers that its higher volume neighbor can't. I'd be very curious to see what the shop will be like once settled into its new location. They clearly have put a lot of thought into carving their own niche, and trying not to be "just another yarn store."

by Joanie on Thursday, Sep 15 2011 at 01:24PM UTC

I love Northampton Wools and don't understand the poor comments. Beautiful yarn in a beautiful location at 29 Pleasant St., very helpful staff and friendly. It has a huge selection of high end yarns, but if you tell the staff you don't have much to spend they go out of their way to find something that will work for you. And we're not talking Lion Brand or Red Heart people! They invite you to sit and knit and chat in very comfortable surroundings. I will be back again very soon.

by Sarah on Saturday, Apr 14 2012 at 09:01PM UTC

What a lovely shop. The space is bright and colorful, and the staff greeted me as soon as my friend and I walked in with a smile and a "Do you need any help? Are you just visiting the area today? Let us know if we can help." There was a selection of great yarns and lots of samples knit up. I ended up buying a pattern designed by Linda Daniels, the owner, and yarn to knit the sweater. My friend bought some great new needles that we were assured were better then Addi Turbos. And they are! Chiagoo they are called. She also got some great yarn for a scarf and a hat. I will be a repeat customer without a doubt.